About 70 per cent of the human immune system is in the GI tract. Even recent TV commercials have mentioned this.Without a well-functioning immune system we are vulnerable to diseases caused by microbes (bacteria, viruses, etc.). A strong balanced immune system is also important in protection against cancer, allergies, and autoimmune diseases.According to Doctor Decker Weiss, newly discovered lactoferrin and amazingly powerful probiotics when taken together give a great big boost to a weak, under functioning and vulnerable immune systems.
Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein that’s found in milk (Latin: lacto- ‘milk’, ferrin- ‘iron’).Probiotic- pro, means ‘for’ and bios, means ‘life’- is a very apt description of what these friendly bacteria do.All bacteria are one-celled organisms that live in huge colonies.Types of disease causing bacteria are in the minority.Many bacteria are exceedingly beneficial such as: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium lactis.
Doctor Weiss says there are hundreds and hundreds of ways friendly bacteria help humans.Probiotics L. acidophilus and B. longum make sure that the colonies of friendly bacteria in the GI tract stay strong and balanced as they “weed out” the disease causing bacterium that are living in the colonies.They prevent the diarrhea that is common when taking prescribed antibiotics.Lab studies have shown them to reduce cold symptoms and reduce cancerous tumors.Researchers concluded that B. lactis supplementation provided a big boost to the immune system in the elderly by significantly increasing infection fighting white blood cells.
It would be hard to get enough lactoferrin by drinking cow’s milk because there is only a trace in it.God has provided for the immune system of an infant by putting about 125 mg of lactoferrin in breast milk.The ‘first milk’, colostrum, contains a whopping 875 mg per half cup to give the newborn’s immune system a big boost.
Lactoferrin has a unique affinity to iron, allowing it to bind to the nutrient.Numerous strains of pathogens need an iron-rich environment to reproduce.Lactoferrin limits the availability of iron to bacteria in the intestine, allowing only the beneficial bacteria to thrive.
When taken together lactoferrin and probiotics provide a synergistic effect (create a more powerful effect than each could alone) to the immune system.
(Information from Decker Weiss, NMD, FASA who holds positions on several scientific and research advisory boards and is the first naturopathic physician to be on staff at a conventional hospital, the Arizona Heart Hospital.) (Internet sites for information: www.ATDonline.org )
